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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
TCIL pursuing opportunities to deploy UPI, digital ID solutions overseas, says CMD Sanjeev Kumar
NEW DELHI: The Telecommunications Consultants of India Limited ( TCIL ) is pursuing opportunities in foreign countries to deploy unified payments interface (UPI)-led services and digital ID solutions . 'Another technology that is getting a lot of recognition in the overseas markets is the UPI and digital IDs. So TCIL is also pursuing opportunities to deploy these solutions,' Sanjeev Kumar, CMD, TCIL, told ETTelecom in an interview. UPI, part of India's homegrown digital stack, is already live in over seven countries, including the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, and Mauritius, allowing Indians to make online payments internationally in a seamless manner. UPI remains the cornerstone of India's digital payment ecosystem, contributing to 80% of the retail payments across the country. The total transaction volume exceeded 131 billion and the value exceeded ₹200 lakh crore for the FY 2023-24, the Ministry of Finance said in February this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, has actively pitched for UPI's expansion within the BRICS grouping, which may boost remittance flows, improve financial inclusion, and improve India's positioning in the global financial ecosystem. Kumar further said TCIL is working with international organisations to deploy indigenous 4G technology , particularly in countries such as Angola, Gambia, Zambia, Botswana, and others. 'In addition to that, our focus is on telemedicine solutions and e-smart class solutions as well. We are in advanced discussions with Angola, Gambia and Zambia, which have shown interest in 4G deployment,' he added. The top executive further said European countries and Australia have shown interest in adopting the early warning disaster management solutions developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT). The telecom PSU has empanelled more than 300 startups and MSMEs as its partners to implement various projects, Kumar said, adding that TCIL offers flexible policies to award deals to these entities. 'We can award a work worth up to ₹10 crore to any startup, and once that work is completed, it can be awarded more deals. That way, it helps a startup to build up its financial strength and experience criteria,' the executive said. According to TCIL, Indian startups have a 'bright future' ahead, particularly in the artificial intelligence (AI) segment which is seeing the launch of new solutions catering to various industries. The Mini Ratna telecom PSU has already executed projects in over 70 countries. Its overseas operations are currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Mauritius, and Nepal, apart from the ongoing pan Africa e-Vidya Bharti and Arogya Bharti Network project operating in more than 15 African countries. The company is also executing several government projects such as the Defence NFS project, Navy OFC projects, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)-funded APSFL and Telengana Fiber Projects, Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) VSAT, Eklavya School, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Super Edge, Teaching Learning Material for Bihar Education Council, among others.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Realme bets on flagship GT7, number series to hit 18% market share in India this year
Paris: Chinese smartphone brand Realme is placing a strong bet on its newly launched GT7 series and an upcoming number series to accelerate growth in the Indian market. Chase Xu , Realme's Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said the company has been gradually increasing its market share in India through a range of marketing initiatives, even as the overall smartphone industry experiences a slowdown. Realme has set an ambitious target of capturing an 18% market share in India by 2025 and believes it is well-positioned to reach this goal, Xu told ETTelecom in an interview. The brand currently holds around 12% market share in India. 'We saw strong growth in Q1, and in the second half of the year, we face three key battles—GT series sales, the new number series, and the festive Diwali season. If we succeed in all three, we're confident of achieving the goal we set last year,' Xu said. On Tuesday, Realme announced a strategic partnership with Aston Martin for the GT series, unveiling a limited-edition GT Dream Edition model. Xu also hinted at a forthcoming brand collaboration for the number series, signaling that such partnerships are central to Realme's next phase of growth globally and in the Indian market. Realme's product strategy is based on a deep understanding of the diverse needs and feedback of Indian consumers. Xu said, "We have thoughtfully structured our portfolio into distinct series, each designed to address specific user preferences and priorities. This approach enables us to deliver more targeted value and offer a personalized experience tailored to different user segments." However, to sharpen its focus, Realme plans to reduce the number of launches in other product lines, including the number and P series, in order to prioritize quality and used experience. One of Realme's standout differentiators in the competitive smartphone market is its strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across its product lineup. By leveraging AI, Realme enhances everything from camera performance and battery optimization to user interface personalization, delivering smarter, more intuitive experiences that align with the evolving needs of tech-savvy Indian consumers. This focus on intelligent features sets Realme apart and reinforces its commitment to innovation-driven value, he said. (The author is in Paris at the invitation of Realme to cover the launch of the Realme GT7 series)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
6GHz delicensing: India needs to assume ‘statesman role' for 5G, 6G spectrum, says GSMA
NEW DELHI: As Indian telecom carriers suffer a setback arising from the Centre's decision to delicense the lower 6GHz for Wi-Fi , the telco association GSMA said India needs to take a 'statesman role' in framing a spectrum strategy for its 5G expansion and sixth-generation (6G) technology development needs. 'We acknowledge India's suggestion to allocate (lower 6GHz for Wi-Fi). It is important to ensure that India takes a global position, and with the rapid growth of 5G in India, enough spectrum must be allocated. We encourage ensuring a firm and structured roadmap for mobile technology going forward,' Julian Gorman, head of Asia Pacific at GSMA, told ETTelecom in an interview. The Central government has recently notified draft rules to delicense the lower 6GHz, between 5925-6425MHz, for Wi-Fi, dealing a significant blow to the country's incumbent telecom carriers that had been lobbying with the government to identify and auction airwaves in this entire mid-band to address a spectrum shortfall for expanding 5G services, and to meet the demands for 6G in the future. The technology companies, represented by the Broadband India Forum (BIF), had urged the Ministry of Communications to reconsider its decision to auction the 6GHz band to telecom carriers, arguing that delays in delicensing these airwaves are causing an annual loss of ₹12.7 lakh crore to the government's exchequer. The entire 6GHz band has 1,200MHz spectrum between 5925-7125MHz. 'As we are leading up to WRC-27 (World Radiocommunication Conference-2027) and for India to lead in 6G, it is important that the regulators take a global statesman role,' the top executive said. Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said that 6GHz-driven Wi-Fi technologies, including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, will fuel innovation in the country, adding that the benefits of broadband internet will also reach rural villages and hamlets. 'We have just delicensed 500 MHz in our 6 GHz spectrum, and this will roll out these new, next generation technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, which will result in higher speeds, ultra-low-latency, and seamless capacity,' the union minister said. 'With this technology, offices will no longer remain the hub of innovation. Our homes, each individual home, each rural hamlet, will become the hub of innovation in the days to come.' Over 84 countries, including the US, UK and South Korea, among others, have already delicensed the 6 GHz band for WiFi services. In India, Wi-Fi is currently provided using the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which, according to experts, suffer from congestion and low bandwidth challenges and cannot adequately support the rapidly scaling IoT and smart devices ecosystem. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 can theoretically offer peak bandwidth speeds of up to 9.6Gbps, compared to 1.2Gbps provided by today's Wi-Fi technologies. Gorman, however, said that the 6GHz-compliant device ecosystem is still evolving, adding that China has allocated this entire mid-band for mobile services. 'It's a strong ecosystem to be a part of,' he said. According to GSMA, private networks are one of the major applications dependent on the 26GHz airwaves – commonly referred to as mmWave spectrum. 'Private networks are one of the fastest-growing areas of network deployment. So I think we'll start to see more and more development,' Gorman said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Homegrown companies to offer affordable 4G, 5G solutions for emerging markets: TEPC's Arnob Roy
NEW DELHI: India's homegrown telecom companies have the potential to sell affordable 4G and fifth-generation ( 5G ) network solutions, particularly in emerging markets, that are embarking on their network expansion and modernisation journey, said a senior executive of Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council ( TEPC ). 'There is a great opportunity for us. There is still a lot of 4G expansion happening across the world, and a lot of 5G upgrades are also happening. In both places, our technology is very relevant. This is where the opportunities are because India has an environment similar to many of the emerging markets,' Arnob Roy , chairman, TEPC, told ETTelecom. Roy said that Indian companies have a complete, end-to-end telecom stack covering wireless and wireline networks, which they can sell in the emerging markets. 'Similarly, all these mobile networks also need a complete backhaul network over fiber. There is also a need for broadband networks and many other things in countries where internet penetration is not as deep as India,' he added. 'That is where, I think, the technology from India is very relevant because of the nature of provenness that we have in similar operating conditions,' said Roy, who is also the chief operating officer (COO) & whole-time director of Tejas Networks . Several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific region are either expanding 4G or investing in the latest-generation 5G networks. London-headquartered GSMA, in a report earlier this year, said that LMICs are expected to realise an increasing proportion of economic benefits as mobile technology, especially 5G, achieves greater scale and widespread adoption. 'However, current adoption of more advanced technologies in LMICs is lagging behind adoption in high-income countries,' the telco association had cautioned. Meanwhile, as geopolitical tensions strain industries, including telecoms, Roy said India can emerge as a trusted ally for sourcing safe and secure connectivity solutions. 'Our technology and solutions become critical for building those networks over here, not only in countries where it is a very safe, secure environment, but also when those companies build their networks in other countries where they want the network to be secure. Those are the opportunities where Indian equipment has a very prominent role of being trusted equipment.'The executive said. Currently, the global 5G equipment market is dominated by a handful of companies, including European vendors Ericsson and Nokia, China's Huawei and ZTE, and Korean Samsung although India, too, is extremely bullish about its indigenous telecom stack which is being deployed by a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)-led consortium and ITI Limited for state-controlled Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited 's ( BSNL ) commercial 4G foray.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre notifies draft rules for delicensing lower 6 GHz band
NEW DELHI: The Central government has notified draft rules for delicensing the lower portion of the much-coveted 6 GHz band , which is likely to boost the usage of low-power and very low-power wireless gear in India, and in particular, may benefit Wi-Fi broadband companies. The Centre has proposed the draft rules in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3(3) and 4(6) read with clauses (b) and (h) of sub-section (2) of section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), as per a gazette notification dated May 16, 2025. The 'Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access System including Radio Local Area Network in Lower 6 GHz band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2025' apply to the 5925-6425 MHz band, according to the notification. The Centre said that no authorisation of frequency assignment shall be required to establish, maintain, work, possess, or deal in any wireless equipment for low-power indoor and very low-power outdoor wireless access in the 5925-6425 MHz on a non-interference, non-protection and shared basis, complying with technical parameters. Globally, telecom regulators have delicensed the lower 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi, while the upper portion has been reserved for telecom operators. ETTelecom, in its April 22, 2025, edition , had reported on the ongoing tug-of-war between India's top incumbent telecom carriers and the Wi-Fi companies over the 6GHz band. While telcos want airwaves in this mid-band range identified and auctioned for fifth-generation (5G) and 5G mobile services, the Wi-Fi companies have sought complete delicensing for providing broadband via Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 technologies. London-headquartered GSMA, in a letter to Neeraj Mittal, secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), this year recommended that India's telecom regulator should include the upper portion in 6GHz (or 6.425-7.125GHz) in the next spectrum sale. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), has supported GSMA's stance on the matter. The Delhi-based telco grouping has been separately lobbying the Central government to get the entire 6GHz band to fill the spectrum shortage to cater to demand for 5G services , and roll out sixth-generation (6G) networks in the future. Multinational technology companies have staunchly opposed the telco industry's suggestion. The technology companies, represented by the Broadband India Forum (BIF), have urged the Ministry of Communications to reconsider its decision to auction the 6GHz band (5925-7125MHz) to telecom carriers, arguing that delays in delicensing these airwaves are causing an annual loss of ₹12.7 lakh crore to the government's exchequer. The ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI), too, wrote to Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, suggesting the Central government delicense the lower portion of the 6GHz band (5925–6425MHz) to support next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity in the country and accelerate digital transformation initiatives, ETTelecom had reported on April 21, 2025 .
